Approved Minutes — original pdf
Approved Minutes

African American Resource Advisory Commission REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Tuesday April 1st, 2025 The African American Resource Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on Tuesday, April 1st, 2025 at the city of Austin Permitting and Development Center in Austin, Texas. Chair Horton called the African American Resources Advisory Commission Meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Daryl Horton, Chair Dr. Chiquita Eugene, Vice Chair Alexandria Anderson Roger Davis Sophia Dozier Nelson Linder Justin Parsons Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Kyron Hayes Mueni Rudd PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the African American Resource Advisory Commission regular meeting on March 4, 2024. The minutes were approved on Commissioner Davis’ motion, Commissioner Linder’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Harden, Jackson, Ross, and Smith were absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 1 2. Briefing regarding the Housing and Urban Development Action Plan and how grants may impact the commission’s interests in FY2025-26. Briefing by Rocio Pena-Martinez, Grants Program Manager, and Julie Smith, Community Engagement Specialist, Housing Department. Briefing by Rocio Pena-Martinez, Grants Program Manager, and Julie Smith, Community Engagement Specialist, Housing Department. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. 4. Presentation regarding American Gateways’ work supporting the immigrant community in Austin. Presentation by Rebecca Lightsey, Co-Executive Director, American Gateways. Withdrawn without objection. Presentation by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) regarding the ADL’s work locally in combatting antisemitism, hate and extremism. Presentation by Courtney Toretto, Director of Policy for the Central Division, and Kazique Prince, Board Member, ADL. Presentation by Courtney Toretto, Director of Policy for the Central Division, and Kazique Prince, Board Member, ADL. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. 6. Conduct officer elections for the Chair and Vice Chair. Daryl Horton was elected as Chair on Vice Chair Eugene’s motion, Commissioner Davis’ second, on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Harden, Jackson, Ross, and Smith were absent. Dr. Chiquita Eugene was elected as Vice Chair on Chair Linder’s motion, Commissioner Rudd’s second, on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Harden, Jackson, Ross, and Smith were absent. to serve as the African American Resource Advisory Nominate Commissioners Commission’s primary and alternate representatives to the Joint Inclusion Committee. Justin Parsons and Alexandria Anderson were nominated as the primary and alternate representatives to the Joint Inclusion Committee on Vice Chair Eugene’s motion, Commissioner Hayes’ second, on an 8-0 vote. Commissioner Linder was off the dais. Commissioners Harden, Jackson, Ross, and Smith were absent. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Commissioner Anderson requested a presentation from Robert Lilly, Grassroots Leadership. Seconded by Commissioner Parsons. Commissioner Parsons requested an update on the state legislature by the Director of the Office of Equity and Inclusion. Seconded by Commissioner Davis. Commissioner Parsons requested a presentation from the Economic Development Department. Seconded by Commissioner Davis. 2 Commissioner Anderson requested a presentation from Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette. Seconded by Chair Horton. Commissioner Rudd requested a presentation from SXSW leadership regarding their new funding sources and their alignment with the African American community in Austin. Seconded by Chair Horton. Chair Horton adjourned the meeting at 7:52 p.m. without objection. The minutes were approved at the May 6, 2025 meeting on Commissioner Parsons’ motion, Commissioner Linder’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Harden, Jackson, Ross, Rudd, and Smith were absent. 3